Thelma Ruth Patterson

     Thelma Ruth Patterson, age 98, of St. Louis, MI, passed away Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at Schnepp Health Care Center, St. Louis, MI.
     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI, St. Louis, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 4, 2025, with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating. Burial will take place at Ithaca Cemetery, Ithaca, MI. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10:00 A.M until the time of the service at the funeral home.
     Thelma was born in Bethany Township, Michigan on October 26, 1926, the daughter of George and Lola (Wertz) Bissell. Thelma married RJ Patterson on February 10, 1945, in Ithaca, MI. RJ passed away on May 18, 2018.
     Thelma enjoyed riding motorcycles with RJ and riding her own motorcycle on long distance adventures like Alaska. She had a green thumb and took pride in her flower gardens. Thelma and RJ had several RVs over the years and loved traveling together. They had a cabin at Canadian Lakes where they enjoyed hosting family and fishing. They spent many winters in Zephyrhills Florida together. She was a member of the Alma Elks Lodge and the Alma Rockets Motorcycle Club in earlier years.
     She is survived by her sister Caroline Pregitzer of Onaway, MI; sisters- in-law: Sandy and Norm Graham of Ithaca, MI; Leona and Bob Todd of Grand Rapids, MI; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband RJ, siblings: Wilma Sanders, Loraine Holton, Dean Bissell, Alice Butcher, and Reva Hilliard.
     Memorials may be made to The Alma Elks Lodge. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, Michigan.